were usually small, and inscribed "Secretum." The first I have noticed
is that of Seherus de Quenci, created Earl in 1210--"Secretum Comitis
Wintonie." (Spelman's _Aspilogia_, p. 67.) John de Busli, however, is
even a little earlier; "Secretum Johannis de Bueli" (_The Earls of Eu_,
by Chester Waters, p. 33).
* * * * *
After a careful examination I have come to the conclusion that no
regulations restricted their use, but counterseals and secreta were
adopted or not, according to taste. Some regarded them as an accession
of dignity, and some as a safeguard: there seems no doubt it was for
the second reason that that signet was placed, in 1529, on the back
of the Dartford Priory Seal (see p. 60); and I find another instance,
where a seal of the same Priory, in 1534, had as a counterseal the
impression of a small signet with the letters I F, being apparently the
initials of Isabel or Joan Fane, the prioress at that time.
It will give some idea as to the prevalence of counterseals if I say
that to the Baron's letter, 1301, are appended ninety-five seals of the
principal nobility. Seventy-nine have no counterseals: to sixteen such
are attached; namely, eight of the same size as the seals, and eight
greatly smaller. Two of these smaller ones are not inscribed (William
de Brehouse and Simon de Montacute), and one only is called "Secretum"
(Walteri de Teye). I think this shows they were less commonly used in
1301 than about 1250.